socialism Flashcards
What is socialists view of human nature like?
Upbeat and optimistic, making it a progressive ideology
Why do they believe human nature is positive and upbeat?
Socialists believe individuals are naturally cooperative, generous and altruistic. This means they seek solidarity, fraternity and comradeship
Why are socialists more focused on what human nature could be like?
They see human nature as malleable or ‘plastic’. Thus, human nature can be adjusted, ensuring we reach our full potential while contributing to a cooperative community
How does society shape individuals?
Individuals are a product of the society they were born into, which makes socialists sceptical that people can shape their own destiny. However, if society is improved, there will be a corresponding improvement for the individuals in it
Why is class important to socialists in society
Class - determined by your status in society’s economy - is essential to shaping an individuals fate (they don’t agree with liberals that people are masters of their own destinies).
Why is class seen as a negative by socialists?
Classes are profoundly unequal, meaning some sections of society have more opportunity to exploit their potential than individuals in other sections
What kind of equality do socialists believe in?
Mindful of class differences, they advocate for equality of outcome as well as equality of opportunity
What is social justice?
legal and formal justice must be accompanied by social justice e.g. access to education, healthcare to ensure equality of opportunity
What doctrine can socialism be considered as and why?
An egalitarian doctrine - they seek to close the gap between the rich and poor to ensure equality of outcome, because lower classes will always have fewer opportunities. Therefore, to have greater equality of opportunity, you must have, you must first have equality of outcome
What will a society that has inequality of outcome in one generation cause in the next generation
It will cause inequality of opportunity
What does capitalism and private property threaten?
human’s natural condition of fraternity and cooperation
Why does free market capitalism not align with socialism?
It creates huge inequality of outcome, which is incompatible with equality of opportunity and social justice
How does socialism look to rectify the problems caused be capitalism?
A redistributionist is preferred, championing workers control and redistribution of wealth. This rejects laissez faire economics and allows for greater collectivism
What may economic collectivism look like?
- progressive taxation
-progressive public spending
-extensive public services - if left to the private sector, services may prove inaccessible to less advantaged sections of society
-extensive state regulation of capitalism
-common ownership
What are the benefits of a redistributionist society?
- more fraternal and cooperative with greater social justice
- more efficient and predictable economy
